The Jonin Meeting

He took a moment to deal with Minato Namikaze's challenge, now that he had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Genichi entered Sage Mode to boost his reaction speed and avoid getting caught off guard, then easily defeated Minato with Magnet Release.

"I didn't know you'd mastered Magnet Release too, Genichi," Minato said, panting.

Indeed, although they were close, this was the first time Minato had seen Genichi use Magnet Release. Ninjas valued keeping their abilities secret, and only the three kids and Orochimaru knew about it.

At Genichi's current strength, Magnet Release could hardly be considered a trump card, so this was a good opportunity to show it openly.

When he had first learned Magnet Release, he'd mainly used it to support him in battle. Later, he discovered that in Sage Mode, Magnet Release had impressive range, power, and stamina in a prolonged fight. So he'd prepared plenty of sealing scrolls packed with Iron Sand to carry with him.

Once Minato had caught his breath, Genichi said, "The Jonin meeting is about to start. Let's go together."

Thinking back on Minato's performance in their fight, Genichi decided to make learning the Flying Thunder God Technique a priority. In a real battle, he was already fast enough that he wouldn't need it.

But the Flying Thunder God was genuine space-time teleportation, with immense strategic value. He might never use it, but he needed to know how.

The Third could even use the Flying Thunder God to travel through alternate dimensions.

Of course, I mean the third person to use the Flying Thunder God—the Third Flying Thunder God user, Boruto Uzumaki.

Inside the Hokage Building, in the conference room.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was already seated at the head of the table. Shimura Danzō sat in the Hokage advisor's seat, his face grim and stern, while the two elder advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, sat silently on the other side of the Hokage.

"Dead as a doornail." Looking at the four of them, Genichi thought of those words. Then he silently lamented, How could Konoha ever prosper with these parasites in charge?

It wasn't long before all the Konoha Jonin who were available arrived in the conference room.

"Now, I declare this Jonin meeting officially underway," Sarutobi Hiruzen said when most of them had arrived.

They reminisced about the past, focused on the present, and looked toward the future. More than half an hour passed before they finally got to the point.

"It's only been a few years since the Second Shinobi World War ended, and the pro-war factions in various countries are gaining influence again. Based on reports from our intelligence network, I'm afraid the next war isn't far off," Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a grave tone.

"How could that be?" "How long have we even had peace?" "Let them come. Konoha is the strongest village."

"Silence!" Shimura Danzō shouted, stopping the discussion.

Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "In the Second Shinobi World War, the fighting between the nations came to an abrupt end when Amegakure withdrew. I'm sure many people were dissatisfied with that outcome. The next war will be a continuation of the last."

"Konoha fears no other village, but they often join forces behind our backs to weaken us. To prepare for the next war, I propose that the students at the Ninja Academy graduate early and gain experience in combat, so they can avoid needless sacrifices in the coming war."

"I disagree!" Before anyone could react, Chiba Genichi slammed his palm on the table, stood up, and raised his voice. "I graduated early from the Ninja Academy myself and went to fight on the Land of Rain battlefield. Where Konoha's leaves dance, the Will of Fire burns. I had no regrets about protecting the village and my comrades."

"But I also know all too well how dangerous the battlefield is. How can we send children who aren't even ten years old to face it?"

"The fallen leaves feed the flames. Their light will continue to illuminate the village and help new leaves sprout. This means that young people are the hope of the future, and the older generation must trust and protect them."

"Lord Hokage, the Ninja World honors you as the 'Shinobi Hero.' You've mastered all five nature transformations and know every jutsu in Konoha. You're the 'Professor of Ninjutsu.' What enemy could possibly stand against you? Why should those children have to face the brutality of the battlefield?"

"The First founded the village so that children would never again have to fight and kill like they did during the Warring States Period. That is the Will of Fire. Have you forgotten?"

The Konoha Jonin couldn't help nodding along. With the Hokage still here, why send children who weren't even ten to the battlefield?

Danzō rose to his feet. "Silence! Since its founding, Konoha has been coveted by all the other nations. We're surrounded by enemies on all sides. The Hokage must remain in the rear and oversee the whole situation. You're just a lowly Jonin. What do you know? Ninjas need only obey orders—"

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and cut him off as well. "That's enough. Genichi only has the village's best interests at heart."

When Chiba Genichi was young, Sarutobi Hiruzen had thought highly of him. He was quick-witted and gifted, an excellent heir to the Will of Fire. But the Will of Fire in his heart burned fiercely, and now its flames were scorching Hiruzen himself.

That's right. Sarutobi Hiruzen had no desire to go to the battlefield. Before he took the Hokage Position, the Second had lost his life on the battlefield. His teacher had been so powerful and wise, skilled in forbidden techniques and master of the Flying Thunder God Technique, yet he had died on the battlefield just like that—almost right before Hiruzen's eyes. The memory filled him with fear.

After returning to the village, Hiruzen had taken on the burden of being Hokage. The longer he held the Hokage Position and enjoyed its power, the less he wanted to go to war. The village had plenty of ninjas, after all. There was no need to put him, the Hokage, in danger.

"Very well. We'll set this proposal aside for now and move on to the next topic," the Third decided, putting off the matter.

In front of Konoha's Jonin, Genichi had maintained his image and raised his standing, laying the groundwork for his future bid for the Hokage Position.

Today, he had built Sarutobi Hiruzen up high. In the future, he would bring him crashing down. At the same time, Genichi truly didn't want those children sent to the battlefield to fight and die in vain. They were Konoha's reserve strength.

I'll protect Konoha. I'll protect my Konoha. —Chiba Genichi